It's the first week of December, and most of us are already knee-deep in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. But while we're perpetually preoccupied with holiday shopping, tree-trimming, and cookie-baking, cyber criminals are laser-focused on taking advantage of our distraction.

An accountant, an attorney and a banker.  

These are the three critical relationships every small business needs to secure to ensure success.  But how do you know you've chosen the right one?

Family, friends, our health, a roof over our heads and a meal on our table...it's not difficult to come up with reasons we are thankful this holiday season. At Bank Independent, our Helping Hands program reminds us throughout the year of not only these blessings, but also those in our community who may not share them.

Ahhh...the empty nest.  At first, it's bliss. You finally have privacy!  You no longer have to stock the fridge with pizza rolls! Your laundry and dishwashing tasks are cut in half!  Soon, though, you notice that your voice is echoing through the empty halls and your spare rooms are growing spider webs.  Is it time to consider downsizing?

Sometimes it's smarter to buy certain items according to the season, like sweaters near the end of  winter and swimsuits in late summer. But what's the best season for buying a house?

I must admit I am ready for Christmas music. 

October is National CyberSecurity Awareness month, so we're focusing on a different aspect of cybersecurity each week (unfortunately there are many, MANY topics to cover). Today we're spotlighting a particularly invasive type of fraud: Corporate account takeover. Keep reading for great information from our trusted partners at the American Bankers Association on how you can remain #CyberAware.

Within the last month the Internal Revenue Service has been inundated with reports from terrified taxpayers who have received notices that their taxes were underpaid.

While the form (number CP2000, specifically) is used legitimately by the IRS for this purpose, the version consumers and businesses have been reporting is definitely not.

OK, so we all know that there is no Nigerian prince who wants to give us the $1,000,000 we've inherited if we will just provide our bank account information and send him a cashier's check for $2000...right? If not, read this: THERE IS NO NIGERIAN PRINCE who is going to give you $1,000,000. Really. It's a scam. Don't fall for it, and for goodness' sake please don't send him your banking information or a check.

It didn't take long to realize that we had an issue that needed immediate attention.